Product Details
AIM Bear Paw Garlic is garlic with a difference. It is not derived from Allium
sativum, the domesticated garlic found in groceries and used in other garlic
supplements. Rather, AIM Bear Paw
Garlic comes from Allium ursinum, a unique wild garlic found in central
Europe and also known as alpine wild garlic. This type of garlic was declared the
"1992 Medicinal Plant of the Year" by the Association for the Protection and
Research on European Medicinal Plants.
Alpine wild garlic has high levels of at least three compounds that are
known to positively influence blood pressure. This aspect of wild garlic is under study at
Georgetown University Medical Center.
Alpine wild garlic has all the beneficial properties of domesticated garlic, plus three
distinctions: 1) It has more of the active substances; 2) It has active substances not
found in other garlics, or found only when large quantities are taken; 3) It is odorless
after digestion
Retail Prices
- 90 capsules Retail $18.00 Wholesale $16.00
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Benefits
Has all the benefits of regular garlic
Displays antioxidant ability
Activates macrophages to reduce the synthesis of LDL cholesterol and
protect against plaques and blood clots
Aids gastrointestinal tract
Has antibacterial and antifungal properties
Increases microcirculation
Features
Is odorless after digestion
Has high adenosine content
Has high y-glutamyl peptide (GLUT) content
Has never been domesticated
Active substances are found in the leaves, not the bulbs
- 90-count capsules
What Is AIMBear Paw Garlic?
AIMBear Paw Garlic is a unique form of garlic. It is not derived from Allium sativum, the
species of garlic sold in supermarkets and used in garlic supplements. Rather, AIMBear Paw Garlic comes from Allium ursinum, a
wild species of garlic found in central Europe.
Unlike A. sativum, A. ursinum has never
been successfully cultivated. (Apparently the eighth-century ruler Charlemagne attempted
to cultivate the plant for medicinal purposes, but there is no record of his success.) A.
ursinum is found in areas of damp woods and wooded ravines and flourishes in the hills
and mountains of central Europe. Its name is derived from the claim that bears, after
awakening from winter hibernation, consume wild garlic to regain strength (ursinum
is Latin for "bear"). Although most of us think of the distinctive garlic bulb
and cloves when considering garlic, the active substances in A. ursinum are found
in its green leaves.
Although largely unknown in the United States, in 1989,
A. ursinum was called "the new star" of garlic in the German health
journal Therapiewoche (Therapy Week) and in 1992, was declared the European
medicinal "Plant of the Year" by the Association for the Protection and Research
on European Medicinal Plants.
What do European publications have to say about A. ursinum?
"Accordingly Allium ursinum contains much
more ajoene and an about twentyfold higher content of adenosine than its cultivated
cousin. Just these substances are the ones to which, according to recent studies, an
essential part of the known allium effects such as reduction of cholesterine, inhibition
of thrombocyte-aggregation, drop in blood pressure, improvement of blood-rheology and
fibrinolysis are attributed." Therapiewoch, November 1990
allium ursinum is superior to allium
sativum, since the latter
has been overcultivated through several thousand
years to a one-sided form." Allgemeine Homöopathische Zeitung, Vol
211/1966.
"It is known of Allium ursinum that it
possesses cholesterol and blood pressure regulating characteristics." Natur
Heilpraxis mit Naturmedizin, November 1995.
"The water and ethanol extracts of wild garlic were
able to reduce the intensity of generated radicals. Thus, it can be assumed that
Allium
ursinum has significant antioxidant properties." Török, et al. Central
Research Laboratory, Pécs, Hungary.
Benefits
Garlic has a long history as a healthful plant, having
been used for medicinal purposes from as early as 3,000 b.c. Garlic is made up of sulfur
compounds; amino acids; minerals, such as germanium, selenium, and zinc; and vitamins A,
B, and C. Allicin, a sulfur-containing compound in garlic, is traditionally believed to be
primarily responsible for most of the suggested benefits of garlic. Allicin is also
responsible for garlics unique odor.
A. ursinum
A. ursinum has all the benefits of the
A. sativum products that are found on the market. However, A. ursinum has three advantages
over this domesticated garlic: 1) It has more of the active substances; 2) It has active
substances not found in cultivated garlic, or found only when large quantities are taken;
3) It is odorless.
A. ursinum contains allicin and its related
forms, as well as more ajoene (a degraded form of allicin) and its related forms, more y-glutamyl
peptides (GLUT), and more than 20 times as much adenosine.
Current opinion states that the y-glutamyl
peptides and ajoene result in an increase in the difference across the membrane of the
vascular smooth muscle. This in turn results in a widening of blood vessels, which may
affect blood pressure.
y-glutamyl peptides have
been demonstrated to inhibit the actions of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), an
enzyme released from the kidneys which regulates blood pressure.
Adenosine helps increase blood
vessel width and can also reduce platelet aggregation (blood stickiness).
Adenosine acts as a muscle relaxant and as a protectant against
poisons, such as caffeine.
A. ursinum might activate macrophages to
reduce the synthesis of LDL cholesterol and protect against plaques and blood clots.
A. ursinum has
antioxidant properties that protect against free radicals.
A. ursinum has
antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Features
When you first open AIMBear Paw Garlic, the garlic odor is unmistakable. However, upon digestion the garlic odor is not
as noticeable. This is because the leaves of A.
ursinum contain substantial amounts of chlorophyll,
which binds nitrogen compounds during digestion and thus prevents the development of the
smell associated with the breakdown products of garlic. As well, allicin is found in lower
concentrations in the leaves of A. ursinum. However, the lesser amounts of allicin are replaced by other related
sulfur-containing constituents, so none of the benefits of allicin are lost.
Process
A. ursinum is hand-picked in the spring during a one-week period. It is harvested
in the alpine regions of central Europe, in particular Switzerland. Because it is wild and
cannot be cultivated, only the leaves are cut; the bulb remains in the earth to ensure
future supply.
Once the leaves are harvested, they are processed
quickly. They are cleaned, washed, dried, and milled under low temperatures. During this
processing, adenosine levels are monitored to guarantee at least 1,100 mg/kg. (For other
guaranteed nutrient levels, see table.)
How to use AIMBear Paw Garlic
Take 3 capsules per day. You may take them at any
time.
Shelf life is 4 years, sealed. Store in a cool, dry
place (70° - 75° F; 20.1° - 23.8° C). Do not refrigerate.
Allicin?
The sulfur compound allicin has traditionally been
credited for garlics beneficial effects. However, this may not entirely be the case.
Allicin is no doubt partially responsible for garlics benefits. But many other
substances may act individually or synergistically to produce benefits.
Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D., says, "The general public
has been led to believe that all of the primary active constituents are in the lipophilic
fractions of garlic, e.g., alliin, allicin, ajoene, etc. This is contrary to the
scientific findingsit has been known for more than a decade that the odorless
water-soluble fractions of garlic are equal to the oil-soluble fractions in their
effects."
The allicin balloon is further deflated by comments found in John
Heinermans The Healing Benefits of Garlic. He cites the sulfur compounds
(such as allicin), but also adenosine, as having beneficial effects. He mentions that
allicin is extremely unstable and may not be what it is thought to be: "
dont be persuaded that just because a particular garlic product claims it contains
significant amounts of allicin, this makes it superior to others without it."
Nutritional Profile
Constituent |
AIMBear Paw Garlic |
A. sativum |
Sulfur |
7,000 mg/kg |
6,114 mg/kg |
Magnesium |
1,600
mg/kg |
952 mg/kg |
Manganese |
230 mg/kg |
14 mg/kg |
Iron |
120 mg/kg |
107 mg/kg |
Adenosine |
1,100
mg/kg |
70 mg/kg |
(Minimum guaranteed)
These test results are typical - actual quantity may
vary with year and season.
History and botany
A. ursinum was known to the early Celts and to the ancient Romans, who
considered it a cleansing plant. The Greek physician Dioscorides also attributed a
detoxifying effect to the plant. In the Middle Ages, A. ursinum was known and thoroughly described.
H. Bock provided drawings of the plant in his Kreutterbuch in 1565, and in 1564,
Lonicerus judged wild garlic to be superior to regular garlic. A. ursinum was used routinely in central Europe
for health until the end of the nineteenth century and was also eaten as a vegetable in
salads.
A. ursinum is a member of the family Lilaceae
(sometimes called Alliaceae or Amaryllidacae). Besides regular garlic, this
family includes onions, shallots, leeks, chives, and other similar plants. A.
ursinum is the only wild member of the family with a true garlic flavor and aroma.
A. ursinum has broad leaves that resemble those of the
lily of the valley. It grows to between 8 inches and 20 inches in height (20 cm to 50 cm)
and carries white bunches of flowers from April to June. The blossoms are snow-white with
six-pointed, star-shaped forms. Brood bulbsthat is, bulbs with clovesare not
found on wild garlic, which effectively limits cultivation. Wild garlic creates dense
colonies that exclude other plants, but it spreads very slowly (perhaps 36 inches a year;
about one meter). It is found abundantly in the Alps up to elevations of 5,700 feet (1,737
m). (Adapted from Alpine Wild Garlic, by Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D.)
Constituents of A. ursinum and A. sativum with Relative
Concentrations |
allicin = (+)-S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide = ACSO
related: (+)-S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide = MCSO |
A. ursinum
1
3 |
A. sativum
2
1 |
Function: original
plant substances; MCSO is a proven hypoglycemic |
allicin = diallyl thiosulfate = DATS
related: alymethyl and/or methylallyl thiosulfinate = MATS
dimenthyl thiosulfate =
DMTS |
1
4
NA |
2
1
NA |
Function:
antibacterial, antimycotic/antifungal, antitumor, hypoglycemic, other actions;
MATS is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation |
ajoene = E/Z isomers of 4,5,9-trithiododeca-1,6,11-triene-9-oxide
related: methylajoene = MA
dimethylajoene = DMA
Totals for all forms: |
primary
primary
2
|
primary
1 |
Function:
inhibitors of platelet aggregation, hypotensives, blood lipids, regulators |
dimethyl mono-, di-, and trisulfides
allyl methyl mono-,di-, and tetrasulfides
Totals for all forms: |
(+,-)
|
(+++)
|
Function: aroma,
some, such as allyl methyl trisulfide, activate glutathione S-transferase |
| y-glutamyl peptides = GLUT |
2 |
1 |
Function: ACE
inhibitors/blood pressure regulators |
| adenosine |
20 |
1 |
Function: platelet
aggregation inhibitor, muscle relaxant, cardiotonic, other actions |
Primary refers to the forms(s) in
which the active garlic constituent and/or related compounds are primarily present.
+ is a unit of relative activity provided for comparison. - is a unit of relative
reduction of activity. |
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Q & A
Why have I never heard of A. ursinum?
Because its wild! Because it has never been domesticated, A. ursinum has
never made it around the world as regular garlic has. And because of this, it has not been
subjected to the publicity of the "garlic wars": the fight for a market share
that has done so much to bring garlic to peoples attention. It is, however, known in
scientific circles and in Europe.
What is the difference between A. ursinum and A. sativum?
Both A. ursinum and A. sativum come from the same family and share the
same active substances and benefits. However, the leaf is used in A. ursinum and
the bulb is used in A. sativum. A. ursinum also has higher quantities of
many of the active substances than A. sativum does and upon digestion has less
odor. In particular, A. ursinum has more of the water-soluble substances.
Aren't allicin and other fat-soluble substances the only ones of
importance in garlc? No. Although allicin and ajoene are important, the
water-soluble parts of garlicadenosine, y-glutamyl peptides, flavonoids,
and fructanesare also very significant. As well, allicin has known side effects and
is also highly unstable.
What are these water-soluble substances? We
have briefly discussed adenosine and y-glutamyl peptides in this data sheet.
Flavonoids are substances in plants that often have health benefits. Fructanes are
significant because they are indigestible sugars known as oligosaccharides.
Fructo-oligosaccharides encourage the growth of "good" intestinal bacteria.
What about standardized allicin content? Many
companies market garlic products with a guaranteed allicin content. Allicin is important,
but there is a wealth of research from Europe that shows that other constituents of
garlicadenosine, y-glutamyl peptides, and othersare equally
important, if not more beneficial than allicin. Allicin can also cause side effects in
some people, so products with high allicin content could be problematic.
Suggested Reading
Clouatre, Dallas, Ph.D. Alpine Wild Garlic. San
Francisco: Pax Publishing. 1995.
Sendel, et al. "Comparative Pharmacological
Investigations of Allium Ursinum and Allium Sativum." Planta Medica. 58, 1992.
Because AIMBear Paw Garlic shows many of the benefits of Allium Sativum, any of the
many books on this subject would be valuable.
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